Filed under: SUV , Toyota , New Car Reviews , Off-Road Surefooted Workaholic Tamed For Civilian Duty 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser – Click above for high-res image gallery An ox is a domesticated bovine whose primary purpose is to pull heavy loads. Tipping the scales at more than a ton, the hefty animals are not considered quick workers, especially when compared to horses, but they’re steadfast in their actions and respond well to trained commands. Rarely spooked or unsettled, oxen deliver a long, dependable and rather unassuming service life. Toyota’s Land Cruiser is the ox’s four-wheeled equivalent. While the full-size sport utility vehicle is one of the automaker’s slowest-selling vehicles on U.S. shores – and one of its most expensive – those who’ve owned one tend to become very loyal fans. We recently spent a week with the current “200 Series,” the latest generation of the venerable ‘ute that has been in production since the 1950s. What has given the Land Cruiser such longevity and how does it compare to the Lexus LX570 , its nearly identical twin? Most importantly, did we become loyal Land Cruiser devotees in the process? Continue reading 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser [w/video] 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:57:00 EST.

Filed under: Hybrid , Hatchback , Toyota Toyota Prius Plus Performance Package – Click above for high-res image gallery Sure, you want to save the environment (or a few bucks on gas), so you go out and buy a Toyota Prius . Starting that day, you’ll been missing a bit of sport in your life. Toyota wants to help you out. The automaker has announced the release of the Prius Plus Performance Package, and TRD had a hand in the creation of the components. This is a limited-edition Prius, which is being offered with a choice between four exterior colors: Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Winter Gray Metallic. That paint work is also applied to the seven-piece aero kit. The Prius Plus Performance Package bodywork is comprised of front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and a rear diffuser. It adds a touch of aggressiveness but also helps lower the car’s coefficient of drag. This sportier (don’t laugh) Prius sits lower than the standard car, with a drop of 1.1 inches up front and 1.3 inches in the back. That lowered stance helps set off the 17-inch forged alloys that are snugly wrapped by a set of low-rolling-resistance 215/45R17 tires.

Filed under: Wagon , Japan , Toyota , UK Toyota Avensis wagon – Click above for high-res image gallery Importing Toyotas to Japan may seem like selling ice to the Eskimos, but that’s precisely what’s in store. In fact, it’s Toyota itself that will be bringing the Avensis back to its home market from its global assembly plant in the UK. Demand for European cars in Japan has got Toyota cashing in on the game, exporting as many as 750 units of the Avensis back to the home country. Since the Avensis holds a similar position to the JDM Toyota Mark X , which is available only as a sedan, Toyota will only be offering the Avensis wagon back in Japan, packing a 2.0-liter four mated to a CVT. Japan, of course, will only be the latest market in which the British-built Avensis will be sold, joining a list of 47 countries worldwide to which some 85% of the units built at the Derbyshire plant are exported. Unfortunately, the United States isn’t one of ‘em, so for those who may want a closer look, we’ve put together a fresh high-res image gallery for your viewing pleasure. Continue reading Toyota to ship British-built Avensis back to Japan Toyota to ship British-built Avensis back to Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Recalls , Safety , Crossover , Lexus , Toyota Lexus RX 400h – Click above for high-res image There’s a problem with some 2006 and 2007 model year Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX 400h vehicles. Today, Toyota announced that it will voluntarily recall 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles that were sold in the States. What’s the problem? Toyota says there is a control board with transistors inside the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) in the Hybrid System Inverter and that, “Certain transistors on the control boards in some of the subject vehicles were inadequately soldered and could be damaged from heat caused by a large current flow during high-load driving.” Whoops. Toyota says that the worst-case scenario is that the vehicles will either go into a fail-safe mode or the fuse will blow and the vehicle will coast to a stop. In order to fix the problem, Toyota needs to get the required replacement parts and will notify owners by mid-July when and how they can get the vehicles repaired for free. If you’re curious about your own vehicle, you can call Toyota or Lexus directly. Phone numbers and more details are available in the press release after the jump. Information about other Toyota company recalls can be found in the archives . Continue reading Toyota issues recall for Highlander, Lexus RX 400h hybrids Toyota issues recall for Highlander, Lexus RX 400h hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:30:00 EST.

TORRANCE, Calif., June 29, 2011 – Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS), today announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall involving approximately 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles sold in the U.S.

TORRANCE, Calif., June 28, 2011 — Scion announced today that its first release series for the second generation tC sports coupe, the 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 (tC RS 7.0), will be available at dealer showrooms this summer.

Filed under: Car Buying , Coupe , Sedan , Performance , Crossover , Acura , Dodge , GMC , Hyundai , Toyota NADA Guides Car Buyers Market Study – Click above for high-res image gallery NADA Guides has released its Quarterly Car Buyers Market Report, and six models earned the organizations Top Recommended Buys designation. The 2011 Acura TL , Dodge Challenger R/T , GMC Terrain SLE-2 , Hyundai Azera Limited , Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 Manual and Toyota Venza I4 AWD all made the cut. While low first-year depreciation rates factor into which vehicles win out in the report, NADA Guides also evaluates vehicles based on criteria like whether or not a model is competitively priced, is available with incentives or rebates, and dealer inventory volumes. Surprisingly enough, the 2011 Dodge Challenger R/T carried the lowest first-year depreciation rate of all the vehicles on the list. With a rate of just 8 percent, the Mopar muscle car beat out the vehicle with the next-lowest rate – the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 Manual – by two percentage points. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Azera limited packed the highest depreciation rate among the vehicles on the list at 21 percent, followed by the Acura TL at 19 percent. You can check out the full report after the break . Continue reading NADAguides reveals six top auto picks based on low depreciation NADAguides reveals six top auto picks based on low depreciation originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink